The Guidance Center’s Big Brothers Big Sisters matches and ready to be matched Littles from Jefferson and Elk Counties participated in a group event on January 26th to celebrate National Mentoring Month.

Matches and “Littles” waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister met at BC3 in Brockway where they got to know each other by playing an ice breaker game; visited multiple stations to decorate photo frames, make a take home board game and write thank you notes to each other.

National Mentoring Month celebrated each January is an annual campaign that aims to recruit volunteer mentors to help America's youth achieve their full potential.

Youth outcomes measured by Big Brothers Big Sisters include social acceptance, perceived scholastic competence, educational expectations, attitudes towards risky behaviors and parental trust. These areas all have a part in developing a youth’s potential. One-to-one mentoring has demonstrated positive outcomes for youth matched one year or longer with a Big Brother or Big Sister.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jefferson, Elk and McKean Counties has 70 youth waiting for a caring adult to be their “Big”. For more information on how you can become a ‘”Big” or support BBBS please contact the agency toll-free at 1-877-776-1636, go to www.bbbs-jem.org, or find us on Facebook at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jefferson, Elk, and McKean Counties. YOU can Make a Difference!